Connor Jessup, 22, is a Canadian actor, best known for his role as Ben Mason on TNT’s Falling Skies. In 2012, Jessup’s performance in Blackbird earned him a “Rising Star” accolade, and he was later named one of Variety’s “Actors to Watch”. (Getty)

On July 13th, WE Day announced that the third annual U.S. National Special of WE Day will air commercial-free on August 4, 2017 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on CBS.

Highlighting some of the most important social issues facing America and the world today — from equality and accessibility, to homelessness and poverty, to inner city violence and social activism, to education and literacy — WE Day unites likeminded individuals and provides a platform for youth and families to create change in their communities and around the world. WE Day is brought to you by Title Sponsor The Allstate Foundation, alongside Presenting Partners Unilever, Walgreens and Microsoft and Supporting Partner, KPMG.

Hosted by Selena Gomez, alongside international activists and WE co-founders, Craig and Marc Kielburger, the special will feature a star-studded lineup of speakers and performers including Alessia Cara with STOMP, Josh Gad, Tyrese Gibson, Alicia Keys, DJ Khaled, Demi Lovato, Mpumi Nobiva, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Statler & Waldorf, Lilly Singh and more. With special appearances by James Franco, Evan Goldberg, Hannah Simone and Seth Rogen and a surprise appearance by Oprah Winfrey, the all-star cast will come together to celebrate the WE movement — a generation of people empowered to act and lead with compassion and the conviction that when united together, simple actions can transform communities, the country and the world.

The one-hour special will feature energetic and moving performances combined with motivating speeches, comedic interludes and documentary-style features highlighting remarkable young Americans who are making a difference. Bringing families together for an evening of empowering conversations WE Day will spark ideas and inspire action, uniting Americans to stand together for change.

“My first WE Day experience was 3 years ago and to say I was impressed is an understatement,” said actress, multi-platinum recording artist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and host of WE Day Special, Selena Gomez. “The electricity of an arena full of thousands of young people who are making real change in the world is like nothing I’ve ever experienced. I am grateful to be a part of such a supportive community and hope I can inspire the kids at WE Day just as they continue to inspire me.”

Parts of the WE Day special were filmed at WE Day California, which took place on April 27, 2017 at The “Fabulous” Forum in Inglewood. WE Day California is just one of more than 20 WE Day youth empowerment events that take place across North America and the U.K each year. WE Day celebrates and inspires this generation’s shift from me thinking to we acting, building a better world where everyone has the power to speak out and make choices that have positive impacts.

“When young people are given the tools and support to speak out and act on issues they are passionate about, there is no limit to the impact they can have on the world, and ultimately one another,” said Craig Kielburger, co-founder of WE. “In the last academic year, students from around the world who are involved WE’s programs donated more than 2.1 million pounds of food to their local food banks, volunteered over 7.6 million hours of service and raised over $17 million in support of local and global causes. Social change is possible — when united, people young and old can push the needle on the issues that weigh heaviest on our communities.”

You can’t buy a ticket to WE Day events — students from across the country earn their way by taking action on one local and one global cause of their choice. More than a one-day event, WE Day is connected to the free, yearlong educational program WE Schools. Providing schools and community groups with curriculum, educational resources and action campaigns, the program is designed to enhance a school’s existing social initiatives or spark new ones.

WE Schools encourages students to further their curricular learning, develop life skills for success beyond the classroom and become change-makers. As part of the program, educators and community leaders can access the free, interactive WE Schools Kit, which helps them collaborate with students as they create actions plans throughout the year. Together, WE Day and WE Schools are a blueprint for building the next generation of change-makers. Globally over 3.4 million students are part of the WE Movement, taking part in service learning programs and campaigns.

Beyond the classroom, WE offers free family resources, providing tools to help Americans create change together as a family. WE Families provides parents the support they need to raise caring and compassionate children and set them on a path for life success. Bonding together, families rally around causes that matter to them and in turn, grow closer as a family unit.